Game apparatus



| J. BLAcKMoRE 2,062,204

GAME APPARATUS Nov. 24, 1936.

Filed May 2, 1955 leslie J Blackmore INVENTOR ATTOR N EY Patented Nov. 24, 1936 UNITEDv STATES PATENTk OFFICE GAME APPARATUS Leslie J. Blackmore, Paterson, N. J.

Application May 2, 1935, Serial No. 19,486

3 Claims.

This invention relates to game apparatus and more particularly to devices for projecting or impelling a ball in conjunction with such miniature games as bowling, base ball, etc.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a ball shooting device particularly adapted for playing with game board, which device by its novel arrangement permits of aiming the projection of the ball with great facility and accuracy, thereby providing a game in which a greater degree of skill may be employed.

A further object is to provide a ball shooting device in which the propelling springs function also to urge the projecting device toward its central position on the board.

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms part of the application, with the understanding, however, that the improvement is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top elevational view of my game apparatus; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawing for a more detailed description thereof, the numeral 3 indicates generally a game board adapted for playing a marble or ball game and comprising the usual longitudinal side walls and an end wall 4. Attached to the bottom of the game board 3 is the plate 5, the center of which is threaded to receive a pivot screw 6. The plate 5' and the screw 6 form a pivot bearing for a projector carriage 'I which comprises an elongate base plate 8 at each end of which is provided up-standing brackets 9. Aligned apertures in the bracket 9 form slide bearings for a projector rod I0, which rod protrudes thru an aperture II in the end wall 4 and is provided at its projecting end with a suitable knob I2. The opposite end of the rod I 0 is provided With a spring clip I3 adapted to frictionally hold the game ball to be impelled.

Intermediate the brackets 9 the rod I0 has rigidly attached to it a cross bar I4 into the respective ends of which tension springs I5 en gage. The opposite ends of the springs I5 are aiXed to the base of the game board 3 by suitable posts I 6 so disposed equi-distant from the axis of the rod lil so that the axes of the springs I5 diverge symmetrically from the rod I0. A compression spring Il surrounds the rod I Il and is 5 disposed to press against the cross bar I4, its opposite end being engaged with a rubber washer I8 which rests against the forward bracket 9. A tubular finger grip I9 is rigidly attached to the rear bracket 9 of the carriage 8, the projecting 10 flanges 20 of which provide for convenient engagement of the operators lingers.

The operation of my projecting device is as follows: The direction of aim of the projector rod I0 is controlled by engaging the fingers of the player over the flange 20 of the linger grip, the latter being so arranged that the hand of the operator may conveniently rest for steadying on the top of the end Wall 5. The game ball is engaged in the clip I3 and the projection rod I0 is drawn back by grasping the knob I2 during which retraction the spring I 'I and the rubber washer I8 move back with the rod I0 and the springs I5 are each tensioned. It is to be observed here that the arrangement of the springs I5, While providing the impelling force for the rod I0, also permit of swinging the carriage 'I on its pivot plate 5 so as to aim the device in any direction desired. Release of the knob I2 allows the springs I5 to impel the rod I0 forward until the washer I3 impacts the forward bracket 9, whence the spring I'l compresses slightly to cushion the impact. This arrest of the forward motion of the rod I0 imparts to the game ball a projecting force causing it to become dislodged from the clip I3 to 35 be impelled or rolled down the miniature alley. In the forward position of the rod I0 the springs, being symmetrically arranged, cause the carriage 'i to return to its central position on the alley.

What is claimed as new is: 40

1. A device of the character described, comprising a retractible projector for the purpose mentioned mounted for horizontal swinging movement on a base, and a pair of springs, one on either side of said projector and secured to said base and projector and adapted to be tensioned by retraction of said projector and to impart an impelling force to the same, and a tubular guiding means thru which said projector may move and which is mounted to swing therewith. 50

2. A device of the character described, comprising a retractible projector, a pivoted projector carriage mounted on a base, means for guiding said projector in said pivoted carriage, a cross bar supported intermediate the ends of said 55 10 thereof, a. cross bar supported intermediate the ends of said projector, cushion means carried by said projector and normally engaging the forward end portion of said carriage, a compression spring carried by said projector and positioned between said cross bar and cushion means and a. pair of springs secured to each end of said cross bar and to said base and adapted to be tensioned by retracting said projector and to impart an impelling force thereto.

LESLIE J. BLACKMORE. 

